Time to rebuild my life =)

Hi Everyone!:sign0144:
My name is Kayser, age 29 from Australia and have just been diagnosed with Pancolitis.

Started about 2 years ago when I quit doing labour (I was a builder) when my lower back went horrible with a lot of pain and severe sciatica down my legs.
My hips locked, couldnt sleep/move and figured I had herniated a couplke of discs in my back. Of course at this time I also began to have constant watery stools and gastro but assumed it was due to the constant tension of my stomach muscles trying to compensate my back pain 24/7

Ended up losing heaps of weight and went into catabolism, ended up looking like a supermodel/heroin addict in muscle definition and my fatigue just fell through the floor.

Overall a very dark and desperate 2 years of what seemed walking death...

Still had a functioning job, used simple stimulants like coffee and cigarettes to keep my mind sharp where my body fell short, but my physical appearance eventually couldnt be hidden any longer =(

After lots of blood tests, allergy trials, cat scans, xrays etc. I finlly got admitted to hospital for a colonoscopy 3 days ago which concluded I have Panacolitis all the way through.

Was loaded up with lots of steroids for the last 3 days but feel amazingly better, my stools are harder and less frequent, my back pain is nearly completely gone and energy is rising.

Just released today, taking Prednisolone, Mesalazine(Enema) and Sulfasalazine Enteric for 2 weeks till I get back to the specialist.

So ah, yeah.... happy to be here and part of your forum!:ysmile:

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum, Kayser! And glad to hear you are released and starting to feel better. The 'roids are good for energy, aren't they?

Welcome. Glad you are feeling great!

Hey there! Welcome to the forum, I'm so glad you joined! Thank goodness they finally figured out what's going on and have you on a treatment plan. Please keep us updated as to your progress and we're here for you anytime.

All my best to you.

Thankyou for your warm welcomes!

Im looking forward to learning more about my nutrition and medications via the forum.

My side effects havent been too bad, though I suspect the prednisolone is giving me heartburn (which I take a little bit of mylanta) and giving me a puffy face along with some very swollen knee's and feet.... but I guess this is to be expected. I seem to feel a little moody also... slightly aggressive if anything, but trying to keep it together when something gets the better of me =)

Other than that, the first day out of hospital wasnt too bad overall =)

Hello Kayser and welcome to the forum! It is good that you now have a diagnosis and a treatment plan arranged. It sounds like you are getting some of the more common pred side effects, they tend to also increase the appetite so some weight gain may be in your future.

Wishing you well soon hun.

Hi guys,
Sorry for my delayed update for my health =)
Well I have to say Im feeling fantastic! 2 weeks ago before I went in for treatment I felt like death warmed up but now the meds are doing they're thing. My energy levels have gone through the roof, my back pain and cramps have virtually disappeared and Im eating like a stoned horse! lol
My stools are still fairly watery, but a lot less than before and now only 2 times a day instead of 20.
I weighed in at a whisker over 60kg when I went in and now Im at whisker under 66kg and have a lot more colour in my skin. Im obviously on a low residue diet, so I have been eating lots of omlettes (egg,milk,cheese,ham,spring onions) and vanilla malted milkshakes =D
They have been the 'snacks' in between my normal meals (lot's of chicken and beef) but other than that, appetite is huge probably thanks to the Predlisolone.

Only odd side affect Im having now is my girlfriend says my eyes are a little yellow. Hoping it's nothing, but apart from that the swelling in my knees and such have gone.

Im off for my first follow up with the specialist this morning followed by the Dietician, so I will let you guys know how I go =)

Cheers!

P.S. Despite how difficult it is to look at, I have a photo taken the night I was released from hospital to show you (I was 2kg less than this when I went in) so that you can monitor my weight progress. (Not to be used for a bit of eye candy, strictly science! haha)

I'm so pleased that you're feeling much better!

If your eyes are yellow I suggest giving your doctor a call and letting them know if you haven't already. They may want to check you out for a few things.

Hiya, I really happy at you are starting to feel a lot better Pls do mention your eyes to the specialist when you see them just so they can check this. As always keep us updated.

So glad to hear the fantastic news!